One month ago, the president of the United States declared in a speech that “Muslims are a threat to America.” This is only the latest of actions taken against Muslims in the United States when Layla Amin turned seventeen. There have been book burnings, curfews, and the election of a secretary of war, but this is not even the worst of it.

One night, the Exclusion Authority comes to Layla’s home to carry out her family’s “relocation” under a Presidential Order. They do not tell them where they are being taken, but it is not long before Layla finds out where they are going - an internment camp.

Although Layla’s parents want her to stay silent and “go through the motions” until this horror ends, Layla makes some new friends who, like her, are not content to fall in line. With the help of Layla’s boyfriend on the outside and even an Exclusion Guard on the inside, a revolution takes form, and no one, not even the Director of the camp, knows what to do once that same revolution takes flight.

This book is a must-read due to its powerful themes and messages. It forces us to think about what would happen if countries like the United States opened up internment camps in modern times. It also reminds us of some of the harsh realities already faced by Muslims today and shows us all of the damage that turning a blind eye can do. Lastly, this book reminds us that even a suppressed voice can be loud if we gather enough voices together to speak up against oppression and discrimination.